Los Angeles city officials shined the spotlight on the publishers and staff of the Park Labrea News and Beverly Press on Friday in honor of the newspaper’s 70th anniversary.

From left, Gregory Cornfield, Edwin Folven, L.A. County Assessor Prang, Councilman Ryu, Michael and Karen Villalpando, Councilmen O’Farrell and Koretz, Rebecca and Emily Villalpando, Michael Jilg and Jill Weinlein join at city hall to celebrate Park Labrea News and its 70th Anniversary.
(photo by Sheri Mandel)

City Attorney Mike Feuer and L.A. County Assessor Jeffrey Prang joined Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell, David Ryu and Paul Koretz in the celebration at city hall.

“Congratulations to Park Labrea News and Beverly Press on 70 years of service in the Hollywood community,” O’Farrell said. “On behalf of my constituents, I commend the newspaper on consistent, reliable, thorough and fair and balanced reporting of news and events in the great 13th District.”

Michael and Karen Villalpando became owners and publishers of the Park Labrea News on January 1, 1990, and within six months turned it into a weekly publication and expanded its circulation. A further expansion took place the following year with the addition of the Beverly Press.

Today, the newspapers are delivered to more than 13,000 paid subscribers in the Miracle Mile, Hancock Park, Fairfax District, Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

Koretz praised the Villalpandos, editor Ed Folven, managing editor Gregory Cornfield and the rest of the team, and said he has eagerly read the paper every week for many years.

“Unless you live or work in the communities they serve, and are part of their readership, you may not comprehend the massive value these newspapers provide, the sense of community they instill and the people and neighborhoods they empower, through their diligent, fair and thorough coverage,” Koretz said. “They are always noticing something of interest and never hesitating to ask “what’s up,” whether it’s about a neighborhood cause, community event, possible development or challenging issue. And they do that through tremendous investigating and reporting, not in a ‘gotcha’ tone but to discover the true details and share them with readers, in a factual, entertaining and informative manner.”

Feuer added, “While our office is all about ‘putting neighborhoods first,’ in 1946, you beat us to the punch. In your first 70 years, Park Labrea News and Beverly Press has been an indispensable part of our community. Your impact cannot be overstated.”